My father, who will be 80 on December 28th, goes to the University of Iowa Hospitals tomorrow to have a biopsy. On his pancreas. The dreaded pancreas. It began as a spot and he was put on medicine for it. Now it is a mass...so I'm told. I've been doing my research via google and there are pancreatic cysts that are benign. I hope it is even though there is some family history of cancer. His father, my never met grandfather, took his own life when my dad was 8. He most likely had cancer of the pancreas as by... Continue reading

What a lovely day it's turned out to be here in Eastern Iowa! We are far enough south that the leaves aren't in full color, but the sun was shining and that makes all the difference. And...mmm...the smell in the air? Nothing beats that spicy Autumn scent from late flowers like the mums and the musk of dropping leaves. I had the good fortune to dine out for lunch with some pretty special people. My ex sister-in-law MaDonna is still as spunky as ever and it was good to see her. When growing up her and my brother lived in... Continue reading

Forecast for today: BUSY! Well, probably. Off to my mother's, she's 78, to help her clean today. Dad will be 80 this December and he has always been a hearty soul compared to mom who has numerous amounts of mysterious ailments. I can relate though because the older I've gotten (I'm 43) the more aches and pains I notice. However my father has had a spot appear on his pancreas ...a spot that has grown. He goes in next week for a biopsy and I must tell you, and I'm sure you'll understand, that this has me more than just... Continue reading

I have a son. His name is Dana Patrick-Alan and he was born on October 13, 1990...yes, nineteen years ago today. I could tell you a lot about my boy. He's a Libra with a Leo moon. He's intelligent, witty, handsome, conscientious, and an unbelievable musician. He loves his many guitars, chocolate, Mountain Dew, and the color blue. He's also a tuba major at the University of Iowa and this is probably the very first birthday I have not been with him. I didn't bake a cake. I didn't have a special supper. No candles to blow out or presents... Continue reading

(picture by Amy Zerner) From Gooberz- By Linda Goodman The Planets We've fought a long and bitter war, my Twin Self and I Lost and lonely, fallen angels, exiled From a misty, long forgotten Oober galaxy of stars Caught in Neptune's tangled web Wounded cruelly by the painful thrust of Mars Tortured by the clever lies of Mercury Shocked and nearly torn asunder By Vulcan's distant, raging thunder Shattered by the lightning Of the sudden, aweful violence of Uranus Crushed beneath the weight of stern, unyielding Saturn Who lengthened every hour into day...each day into a year Each year...into millenniums... Continue reading

When I was a kid I hated yogurt. I thought it was slimy....sour...just plain yuck. Funny how our taste buds change as we grow. I'm sitting here now eating vanilla yogurt topped with gluten free Rice Chex. I was so happy when Chex went gf! Grocery shopping is such an adventure when you go gluten free...oops, some rice Chex just hit the floor. Time to call over the vacuum, aka Charlie Dog. Vacuum...I hate that word. Just look at it. It's spelled so weird and every time I go to type it I have to stop and think....now how do... Continue reading